Wall mountable soap dish assembly and methods of making and using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soap dishes accumulate soapy water, leading to soap softening and reduced lifespan, and require frequent cleaning due to soap buildup, while also occupying valuable counter space.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mountable soap dish assembly with a recessed design that includes a middle plate for soap placement, a front plate for drainage and attachment, and attachment elements for secure mounting, allowing for hands-free soap access and minimizing water contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional soap dish is used to hold a bar of soap, then the soap can be easily accessed and used, but soapy water accumulates in the dish causing the soap to soften and dissolve, reducing its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The soap dish transitions from a flat surface design to a three-dimensional structure with a recessed cavity that receives the bar of soap. This dimensional change creates a containment space that prevents soapy water from pooling around the soap while maintaining easy access to the soap surface for washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The soap dish is divided into distinct functional zones: a recessed area for holding the soap, drainage holes for water evacuation, and a raised rim structure. This segmentation allows different parts of the dish to perform specific functions - the recess protects the soap, the holes drain water, and the rim contains liquids.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If drain holes are added to the soap dish to allow water drainage, then water accumulation is reduced, but soap residue and moisture still build up in the floor of the assembly requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The soap dish structure enables self-draining through gravity-assisted water flow. The recessed design combined with drainage holes allows soapy water to naturally drain away from the soap bar without requiring external intervention or manual cleaning, making the system self-maintaining.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of vertical depth through the recessed cavity creates a slope and elevation differences that facilitate water drainage. The three-dimensional structure allows water to flow from higher areas to lower drainage points, preventing residue buildup through passive gravitational drainage.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a wire grid is used to support the bar of soap, then drainage is improved, but the wires cut into the soft surface of the soap removing soap from the bar and requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The soap dish employs a smooth, continuous surface structure instead of rigid wire elements. The recessed cavity provides support and positioning for the soap bar without introducing sharp edges or protruding wires that could cut into or remove soap material during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of water contact by creating a controlled drainage system. Instead of allowing water to pool around the soap (harmful), the recessed design with drainage holes directs water away, turning the harmful moisture into a beneficial drainage flow that extends soap life without causing surface damage.
4Ease of operation
If a traditional soap dish occupies counter space, then soap can be held and accessed, but valuable counter space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The soap dish utilizes vertical space through its recessed, three-dimensional structure rather than requiring horizontal counter space. By creating depth and elevation, the design allows the soap to be accessed from the front while minimizing the footprint on the counter surface.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a soap dish assembly that promotes the longevity of a bar of soap and allows a user to access to the soap without directly handling it. Particularly, the disclosed assembly includes a bottom plate configured to attach to a support surface (e.g., a shower wall). The bottom plate comprises a housing sized and shaped to cooperate with a bar of soap. The soap is therefore retained within the base housing via a middle plate. A front plate attaches to the bottom plate to retain the soap and middle plate therebetween. In use, a sponge or other bathing accessory can contact an exposed surface of the soap, thereby allowing access to the soap without having to directly handle it. Alternatively, a user can rub a desired body part (e.g., their hands) on the exposed portion of the soap for cleaning. As a result, the life of the soap is extended and does not get soggy or softened from excess contact with water during and after use.